PITCHER OF THE YEAR

WEST HILLS —  Maureen LeCocq’s stock is rising faster than her 64-mph riseball.

Chaminade High’s standout right-hander figures to be the region’s most heavily recruited pitcher next year after striking out 255 batters and recording a miniscule 0.06 earned-run average this season as a junior.

“Whoever gets her is going to be very happy,” a college coach said earlier this season.

LeCocq established herself as the region’s most dominant pitcher by almost single-handedly leading the Eagles to the Southern Section Division IV semifinals.

She finished the season without allowing an earned run in 164 consecutive innings, but Chaminade was upset by Rosary, 1-0, in the semifinals on an unearned run.

“We had an awesome season,” said LeCocq (20-8), who did not allow an earned run after April 13. “But I want to win a championship.”

LeCocq batted .363 and allowed only one run--unearned--in nine Mission League games to lead Chaminade to its first league title since 1977, when it was a member of the Delphic League.

“I truly believe she is the best pitcher in the state,” Chaminade Coach Steve Harrington said.

Facing one of the region’s toughest nonleague schedules, LeCocq hurled shutouts against traditional powers Thousand Oaks, Crescenta Valley and Santa Maria Righetti.

Her eight losses were against teams that finished with a combined record of 167-37.

“She was by far the most dominant pitcher we saw all year,” Righetti Coach Richard Cornejo said.